Perspective
Effect of sleep on breathing ─Why recurrent apneas are only seen
Abstract
In the past four decades, respiration during sleep has intrigued clinicians and basic scientists,
probably owing to a better recognition of the clinical significance of sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep
apnea syndrome is characterized by repetitive episodes of cessation of airflow at the nose and
mouth lasting at least 10 seconds during sleep in association with one or more of the following
symptoms: habitual snoring, restless sleep, morning headache, excessive daytime sleepiness and
intellectual impairment (1). Although the phenomenon of sleep disordered breathing (SDB)
has long been noticed (2,3), the first polysomnographic recording of frequent respiratory pauses
during sleep in humans dates back to 1965 (4).
probably owing to a better recognition of the clinical significance of sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep
apnea syndrome is characterized by repetitive episodes of cessation of airflow at the nose and
mouth lasting at least 10 seconds during sleep in association with one or more of the following
symptoms: habitual snoring, restless sleep, morning headache, excessive daytime sleepiness and
intellectual impairment (1). Although the phenomenon of sleep disordered breathing (SDB)
has long been noticed (2,3), the first polysomnographic recording of frequent respiratory pauses
during sleep in humans dates back to 1965 (4).
